"We need to establish some further ground rules for this marriage."
"Of course, laird."
"Boyd," he corrected sharply."Ye call me Boyd or husband."
"Boyd," she amended quietly.
He began to pace, his movements restless, predatory."As I stated previously, this is a marriage in name only."
Bella said nothing but merely nodded.
"But dinnae think that absolves ye from responsibilities.Ye'll run the household matters of the Keep," Boyd continued."Manage the servants, oversee the kitchens, handle the accounts with my supervision.Ye'll have clothing appropriate to yer standing as my wife and anything else ye require tis yers for the asking.But that's where it ends."
He stopped pacing and turned to look at her directly."Now, I dinnae want yer conversation.I dinnae want yer affection.Yer role is to provide a warm and welcome hearth.We'll see each other at meals or when necessary, and that's all."
Each word landed like a stone, building a wall between them that Bella knew she'd never scale.
"As for marital duties," Boyd's voice went even colder, "As I've said before I've no interest in sharing a bed and I dinnae want to wake up again with ye sprawled all over me."
Bella blushed with embarrassment remembering their shared nights on the road.
But Boyd continued, "This marriage will remain unconsummated.If I have needs...I'll meet them elsewhere, but I'll be discreet so as not to humiliate ye and ye'll not question it or interfere."
The image of Boyd with other women—touching them, kissing them, giving them the tenderness he'd once shown Bella—made her stomach twist with a pain so sharp she nearly gasped.But she kept her face carefully blank.
"Do ye understand?"Boyd demanded.
"Aye."
"But Bella, it does not have to be this way."
"What do ye mean?"
"I have the power to forgive ye, but I need ye to confess yer part."
Bella stiffened."Ye wish to forgiveme?"she asked incredulously.
"Aye.I believe given our history there may be hope for us yet."
"With respect, husband.'Twas notmewho destroyed what we had!"
He whipped around to look at her and he scowled."So ye insist on clinging to the lies?"
"What lies?I have been nothing but truthful!"
"Enough!"he roared.
"I dinnae ken why ye wish to hurt me so?"Bella asked.
"Me?Hurt ye?Ye were the one who played false with my heart, Bella.Ye made me believe ye loved me, then threw me aside for a wealthy man.Ye made me look a fool."
"What man?"Bella started, but he cut her off.
"I waited for ye at the chapel, Bella, and ye did not even have the decency to tell me about Philip Gregory and end it yerself."
"I dinnae ken who this Philip is.I loved ye Boyd, I waited for ye and it was ye who did not come.Ye promised me.Then I find ye cavorting with another woman."
"Stop lying!"he roared."Everyone kenned what ye did."
